When public schooling is just as good as homeschooling

Been thinking of you all over here... always hate to leave my readers long on a sad note, just been busy. :)

I (happily) have more kids home right now, so I'm doing stuff like this:

And... I'm doing more laundry!  Right now, I'm wishing I could be at the Beth Moore conference downtown, instead of here with a laptop watching "How It's Made" out of the corner of my eye.  But perhaps I'm where I'm supposed to be tonight.

I love having my kids home.  I do.  My main complaint is that I can't keep enough food in the house.  But I truly enjoy having older kids around with the younger ones.

It seems very counter-intuitive to pack up the more rational and helpful kiddos off to sit for six hours of school a day during the school year.  Where they really, truly, and completely aren't learning for six hours a day, 180 days a year.  Where they are spending more time being formally taught by people I don't know.  I mean, where's the sense in that?  Prior generations would really think we're nuts...

But, overall, public school (yes public school) has worked for my family.  My kids are fantastic, moral, sensible, intelligent, kind and well-mannered human beings; I can assure you of this subjectively.  :D  But you'd like them, really you would.  They even mingle well with homeschooled children, I promise.

I want to homeschool my eldest next year.  You see, in the inscrutable wisdom of my city, the little neighborhood school she just finished is K-5th grade, so they mean to funnel her to the 6th grade of a 1st-6th grade school, and from thence to the middle school called "Park View" (known as "Park Zoo" to many).

Confusing, particularly for adolescents?  You betcha.

But my daughter is unsure... she thinks she may want to try one more school year.  I understand why: it's a nicer school than the one she was in even.  Big gym.  Nice playground.  Cool lockers.  If you're 11, these are serious considerations.

Ultimately, I'm going to pull rank as "Mom" but I'm considering her take on it... when I was homeschooled through high school, I was pulled out without warning or choice.  I only vaguely understood homeschooling as something you did if you were missionaries in Alaska.  It was... an upsetting change.  And actually, in the 90's, there really wasn't much socialization... Even though that's not the case today--now homeschooled children are often better socialized than their regular schooled peers--I want to go into this homeschool experience with as positive an attitude as possible on the part of both mom and child here...

As for me, I'm super excited at the prospect.  There is so much I want her to learn that her current schooling doesn't offer.  Favorite literature and poetry I want to share with her.  Relearning with her by teaching history, apologetics, and--okay, fine--Algebra.  :)  So many places I want to take her on educational outings. To look at more advanced courses in what she excels in and take time to strengthen the areas she struggles in.  To give her an individualized education based on the needs of herself and my family.

I'll be batting this decision around all summer.  But in the meantime, as a previous homeschooler who has her kids in public (gasp!) school and is planning to (gasp!) homeschool one and have the other in school:

When is public school as good as homeschooling?  Well, when it's God's will for the child to go to public school, of course.  :)  (And while I have no infallible assurance of this, I earnestly hope I'm following His will for my kids.)

There are pros and cons to both methods, for sure. Despite the obvious advantages to homeschooling, a child from a Christian home can learn in a public school.  Can actually thrive in a public school.  And can be a needed example in a public school.  I like to think my kids have (at least sometimes) fulfilled this role...

"In all things, show thyself an example of good works." Titus 2:7

To my first graduate

Today, you graduate from fifth grade.  My four and a half pound baby.  My five foot four inch preemie.  The girl who now shares shoes with me and steals my shirts.

I am trying to account for the years that have passed.  The days were long, but those years... they somehow went by in a blur of car trips and Christmases and endless errands and sleepless nights.  And now, we're here, your sisters and dad and I watching the simple ceremony that says, in one more way, "You're moving on."

Claire was so happy to see you up there, dressed in black and white, conducting your class while they sang.  And your baby sisters were so happy to see there were two cakes. :) I really enjoy watching the four of you together.  I hope you always stay close to the little ones who look up to you, and your "almost twin" that's always been right there to play anything you dreamt up.

You are now too old to stay most of 180 days in the brick building around the corner.  You're done with the elementary school you walked into as an adorable, bespeckled first grader, with all the confidence and optimism in the world.  School would be easy.  It was fun for you. Until it was hard, and homework lasted for hours.  Then it wasn't so fun anymore. It was kind of sad to see that happen, to witness how life increasingly makes more demands on all of us.

But I know you are equal to the challenges you will face.  You already stand before an audience with ease, whether dancing, singing, or speaking to a crowd; you did it today, with your short speech about your time at the school.  Art and music come easy to you.  Daily, you're writing down more German words in your notebook, something you just decided to do on your own.   Just like you will simply sit in front of piano and pick out the notes of a song. With younger children, you are nothing short of a wonder; every baby and toddler adores you.  You are already a nurturer, a protector, even already a teacher, the profession you want to have someday.  I'm sure you'll be successful enough to eventually have that big house for children you want to have. :)

You have always taken me by surprise, from the first moment I realized you existed.  And it has always turned out to be a good surprise.  Even though, I confess, the responsibility of raising someone as precious as you was completely overwhelming for awhile.  But you have been worth every effort I've ever made. From waking up early to french braid your hair this morning to first learning how to use that awful breast pump and waking up every four hours to do so.  It has all been so, so worth it.  And you are worth more than that.  Enough for God to give His life to spend forever with you.

You're worth so very much, but you don't comprehend that quite yet.  You're at the age where self-esteem is being assaulted by a silly, silly world that says girls must act a certain way, say certain things, weigh certain pounds, dress certain ways.  Please, please don't listen, beautiful one.  No one else but your Creator can define who you are. Nothing and no one can replace the beauty that you are.

If I let you read this now, you will roll your eyes a little, smile bashfully, and say, "Uhh, thanks mom."  But someday, I think you will understand.  Someday you may even write something similar to my grandchild, a note that will make you cry and make them embarrassed and will make me smile.

I love to see you grow up, even though it's sometimes hard for me.  I'm so proud of you.

"In all thy ways think on Him, and He will direct thy steps." Proverbs 3:6